On December 7, 2017, Olivier Métais was unanimously elected Chairman of the Société Hydrotechnique de France by the association board, to succeed Daniel Loudière, who resigned.

Olivier Métais is a doctor of ENSHMG, Professor of Universities at ENSE3 (National School of Energy, Water and Environment) of Grenoble (he has been head of ENSE3 from 2008 to 2013).Awarded by the CNRS bronze medal in 1989, laureate of the Jaffé prize of the Institut de France in 2011, this specialist in turbulent flows is currently holder of the HYDRO'LIKE Chair in Industrial Excellence, dedicated to hydraulic machines, in partnership with GE /ALSTOM.